Botox treatment injections at Miami Skin and Laser Center Miami
South Beach
Wrinkles Removed: BOTOX® Injections and
Treatments in Miami South Beach
BOTOX® is the treatment of frown lines, crows' feet, forehead
wrinkles, and neck folds by method of BOTOX® injection directly into a specific
muscle. The muscle becomes temporarily relaxed, thereby stopping the ability of
the muscle to contract and allowing the lines to gradually fade. This can help
prevent further wrinkling of the skin. This treatment lasts from 3 to 5 months
How it works:
Because we are continuously making facial expressions, the
underlying muscles are constantly contracting. Over time, the tissue around the
eyes and mouth begins to sag from all the contracting and pulling, causing
hyperkinetic wrinkles, or "wrinkles with motion". These wrinkles show up as
glabellar lines and "crow's feet" around the eyes, "furrows" on the forehead,
and fine lines around the mouth. During your treatment, your physician will
gently inject BOTOX® directly into the muscles that cause these wrinkles.
Because wrinkles are caused by overactive muscles, BOTOX® works by temporarily
disrupting signals between the nerve and the muscle. Muscular movement occurs
when a nerve transmits a signal to a muscle, causing it to contract or pull. The
nerve ending is separated from a muscle by a small gap called a "synapse" or
"neuromuscular junction." BOTOX® prevents the signal from crossing the
neuromuscular junction, thereby allowing the muscle to relax and helping to
eliminate the wrinkles that lie above. The effects of BOTOX® generally last 3-4
months.
FAQ's
What is BOTOX?
BOTOX was the first available form of botulinum toxin therapy that could safely,
simply, and effectively improve frown lines, forehead creases and "crow's feet."
BOTOX has shown remarkable improvements for wrinkles resulting from repeated use
of facial muscles. Wrinkles are caused by contractions of the delicate
underlying facial muscles every time you make facial expressions.
The more emotion you show over time, the deeper these wrinkles and lines are
likely to be. These lines caused by facial muscles can give a person an angry,
tired or sad appearance - even when they are not experiencing that emotion. By
relaxing these underlying muscles, BOTOX reduces the wrinkles.
How are BOTOX treatments performed?
BOTOX is injected in extremely small amounts in the affected muscle(s) by using
a very tiny, disposable needle. (The needle is the size of an acupuncture
needle) The entire treatment takes about 10 minutes. Since no sedation is
necessary, patients can resume normal activities immediately.
How long does BOTOX last?
BOTOX generally lasts 3-4 months, sometimes longer. However, after receiving
injections over time, there appears to be a longer lasting effect. This could be
due to relaxing of the muscles in the injected area and breaking the habit of
certain facial expressions.
Do BOTOX injections hurt?
Because the needle is so tiny and such a small amount of solution is used, any
pain experienced is usually described by patients as minimal and very
short-lived.
What will happen at the initial consultation?
During the consultation, you will have the opportunity to talk to your physician
about the changes that you'd like to make in your appearance. He/she will
explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and the
risks and limitations involved.
It is important that you explain the results that you would like. Bring
photos to show your doctor what you like and what you don't like. He/she will be
able to tell you if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
How does BOTOX reduce wrinkles?
When BOTOX is injected into a muscle it causes temporary weakness of that
muscle. BOTOX blocks impulses from the nerve to the tiny facial muscles that are
related to expression lines. BOTOX relaxes the muscles so they do not contract.
After treatment, the overlying skin remains smooth and unwrinkled, while the
untreated facial muscles contract in a normal fashion, so that normal facial
expressions are unaffected.
Does BOTOX interact with other drugs?
It is always important to let your doctor know what drugs you are taking as some
drugs interfere with nerve impulses to muscles causing an increase in the effect
of BOTOX. However, patients can usually be treated with BOTOX regardless of
other drugs used.
Do botulinum toxin injections cause botulism?
Though the words "botulinum toxin" often conjure up negative images such as
botulism and food poisoning, botulinum toxin injections are safe and widely used
all over the world for therapeutic and aesthetic benefits. In fact, BOTOX has
been used for the treatment of facial wrinkles for over 20 years! The FDA has
approved botulinum toxin for use in neurological disorders, supporting its
safety and efficacy. BOTOX has been approved in Canada for the treatment of
facial wrinkles. It is expected to receive approval in the US in early 2002.
Additionally, the National Institutes of Health recognized the clinical benefits
of botulinum toxin and issued a consensus statement over a decade ago about the
use of botulinum toxin therapy in the treatment of numerous disorders. In these
therapeutic applications, minute, highly purified quantities of botulinum toxin
are used, making it safe to be injected.
Does BOTOX have any side effects?
Though side effects resulting from BOTOX are rare, some patients have
experienced local discomfort, or headache following injection. However, symptoms
are of generally mild and of short duration. Uncommonly, ptosis (Or drooping of
the eyelid) can result. This effect is temporary and lasts approximately 2 weeks
to 16 weeks. The incidence of ptosis seems to be directly related to the
experience of the treating physician. (In other words- you should make sure you
are treated by an experienced physician).
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